Basic Information
International Day of Friendship is an annual event observed on 30 July with the idea that friendship can inspire peace efforts and build bridges between communities.
Observed on: 30 July
Organized by: UN
Introduced in: 2011
Observed: Worldwide
About International Day of Friendship
International Day of Friendship is a United Nations (UN) day and is observed on July 30 each year.
In 2011, the UN General Assembly proclaimed the International Day of Friendship with the idea that friendship between peoples, countries, and cultures can inspire peace efforts and build bridges between communities.
The day is also intended to involve young people, as future leaders, in community activities that include different cultures and promote international understanding and respect for diversity. It also supports the goals and objectives of the Declaration and Program of Action on a culture of Peace and the International Decade for a Culture of Peace and Non-Violence for the Children of the World (2001-2010).
The International Day of Friendship is an initiative that follows on the proposal made by UNESCO and taken up by the UN General Assembly in 1997, which defined the Culture of Peace as a set of values, attitudes and behaviours that reject violence and endeavour to prevent conflicts by addressing their root causes with a view to solving problems.
Even though 30 July is UN official International Day of Friendship, in many countries it is celebrated in first week of August.
Programs and Activities on Friendship Day
United Nations (UN), Governments, organizations, and community groups hold different events, activities and initiatives that promote dialogue among civilizations, solidarity, mutual understanding and reconciliation.
Some friends acknowledge each other with exchanges of gifts and cards on this day. Social networking sites have much influence among youths now. This results in celebrating this day much in social networking sites and online.
This day is much popular among youths and teenagers. But now it spreads among others also as people valued friendship more and more.